Documentation: Ali – Wolfe Fight is Off – 2003

By Sue TL Fox – October 10, 2003

(OCT 10) What could have been one of the most lucrative fights for women boxers Laila “She Bee Stingin’” Ali and Ann “Brown Sugar” Wolfe is now on the shelf—in other words, it’s off!

Today, WBAN received confirmation from Johnny “Yahya” McClain (Ali’s promoter/husband)  that the fight was officially off, and the two will not be fighting on December 6, 2003 in Nigeria.

There were reasons given for the cancellation of this fight, that included comments that the Wolfe Team messed up the fight because of contacting Nigeria directly, to the request of excessive airline tickets, to problems with Nigeria itself.

WBAN contacted Team Wolfe on October 8th, to ask them about their side of the story, and relayed to them about what was reported to WBAN by matchmaker, Chris Middendorf of Absoloot Boxing. (Middendorf had told WBAN that the Ali-Wolfe fight was off, and it was not over the purse, but over excessive “business” airline tickets (10, valued at $9,000 each) requested by Team Wolfe .)

After speaking with Team Wolfe, WBAN requested a written statement with their side of the story. They said the following: “In response to a statement provided to WBAN regarding the Laila Ali/Ann Wolfe fight to be held in Nigeria on Dec. 6th, RPM Boxing, management for Ann Wolfe, said that they do not understand the reason for the statement by Chris Middendorf (matchmaker for Absoloot Boxing).

RPM Boxing said it has spent several days in spirited negotiations with Absoloot Boxing and that as of this morning Brian Pardo and Johnny “Yahya” McClain reached an agreement concerning the bout.   Pardo said that an agreement was reached regarding the purse which was accepted by the Wolfe Camp and that has actually not been an issue in dispute.

Pardo also said that the dispute arose over the number and type of airline seats for the Wolfe entourage. Pardo said this was resolved when the Wolfe Camp accepted two business class tickets and four coach tickets to be paid by Absoloot.

Pardo said he has not talked to McClain since this morning, but in that conversation they had agreed that McClain would overnight the contracts and Pardo said the Wolfe Camp would agree. Furthermore, RPM Boxing said that an umbrella agreement exists between Absoloot Boxing and the Ann Wolfe Camp requiring the two women to fight three televised bouts.

In the first fight, which has already aired on PPV, Wolfe agreed to fight Valerie Mahfood to avenge her single loss in her career. Wolfe won that fight which triggered the two additional fights, the first of which, to be held within 120 days between Wolfe and Ali. Then, the contract calls for a second fight between Wolfe and Ali to be held within 150 days of the first fight. Pardo said the contract specifies that Laila Ali cannot fight another opponent until she fights Ann Wolfe.”

WBAN will keep boxing fans updated on any additional information that becomes available.

So Stay Tuned!